The day the music died for singer who fell prey to crime

THE SA music and entertainment industry has become more and more dangerous if the killings of AKA, DJ Sumbody and Vusi MA R5, as well as the kidnapping and hijacking of gospel singer Zaza Mokhethi and filmmaker Kutlwano Ditsele are anything to go by.

This comes after gospel singer Mokhethi and her husband Lebo Mokhethi told of their ordeal at the hands of three robbers who kept them at gunpoint for five hours in the deep fields of Lehae township in Joburg south last year.

The two life and work partners spoke to The Star about their harrowing experience, which ended just after 8pm on the day.

The couple, who have been married for over 18 years, said they were saved by their prayers, as they could have died at the hands of hired hands who were allegedly sent to kill them.

The pair said they had gone to pray in the fields when three gunmen who had been following them pounced.

“This is something we have not revealed before, but crime in this country has got out of hand, and we feel we are now ready to share this ordeal with the rest of the world ...

“As they were busy pointing a gun at us, we just prayed non-stop. We think that prayer was our saving grace, as they told us that they had been sent to kill us,” Mokhethi said.

She said the incident happened in August last year after the pair had just finished recording their new gospel ensemble. Mokhethi said the country’s music industry had become dangerous, and with artists not earning huge salaries, it has become difficult for musicians to protect themselves.

“Look at what happened to AKA and other artists who have been killed recently. We live in constant fear, and it has become a life-and-death situation for musicians, who are now forced to hire bodyguards}

“We pay double the tax that is being paid by ordinary citizens, and yet we get no protection from the government. We can only thank God for having rescued us from the hostage situation we encountered,” she said.

The couple’s revelation came after Gomora film director Ditsele told of his own 15-hour hijack ordeal. The director and co-founder of Seruti Films took to social media this week to reveal his terrifying experience.

“The only thing they took from me that is irreplaceable is my sense of safety,” Ditsele said.

However, Mokhethi said besides being left traumatised, thousands of rand, including money to pay artists and service providers, was taken from their business and personal accounts.